Bryan King has backed Everton to win the battle for Olympique Lyonnais defender Jake O’Brien.

The ex-Goodison scout believes it will come down to what kind of contract the Toffees can offer the 23-year-old.

As reported by Alan Nixon via his Patreon (7 July), the Toffees believe O’Brien would pick them over West Ham United and Nottingham Forest.

Everton value the centre-back at £20million, while Lyon are keen to secure £30million for the player’s signature.

And King – speaking exclusively to Goodison News – has had his say on the transfer race.

“Of course, Everton can win the race for O’Brien,” King said.

“If he does arrive it will be on a multi-year contract, and he will therefore want to know what the situation at the club looks like going forward and what terms they can offer him.

“None of the three clubs linked with him are going to be competing that high up the table, so therefore it will come down to what kind of contract they can offer him.”

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Will Everton sign Jake O’Brien from Olympique Lyonnais?
There is no reason why the Toffees can’t sign O’Brien ahead of West Ham and Forest.

At the moment it would probably be fair to suggest that the Hammers are likely to finish highest of the three teams in the Premier League next season.

However, the future is beginning to look a bit brighter at Goodison Park, and O’Brien might want to be a part of that.

He is more likely to be handed a prominent first-team role with the Toffees, especially after the Hammers recently completed the signing of Maximillian Kilman from Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Everton
Sean Dyche will be hopeful of Everton signing Jake O’Brien
As a result, if Everton can see off competition from Forest, they might be able to lure O’Brien to the club.

In other Everton news, the club are interested in an “explosive” Watford star who could be available on the cheap.
Breaking Media Ltd